Firstly, thanks to Laura Moss for pointing out this interesting paper devoted to species-rich grassland and effects of different management methods:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/avsc.12723?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0CHlTOWPLsht024FP_XI80VRCPtf6dcZVYSUfrJL-07sAsigT540lNWpY_aem_mJCpq5rbI3L9CNJpQ1mHDg

It is in an issue of the Journal “Applied Vegetation Science”, which contains a lot of papers describing research on species rich grassland and effects of hay cutting or grazing management:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1111/(ISSN)1654-109X.grazing-vegetation

Many of the papers in this issue are relevant to our area of West Wales, and many are open access – i.e. you can see the full article for free.

Secondly, a New Year Plant Hunt:

If you would like to blow the festive season’s cobwebs away, you can take part in the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) New Year Plant Hunt, up until sunset on 1^st January.  There is lots of guidance and advice here:

https://bsbi.org/new-year-plant-hunt

The information gathered by volunteers taking part is vital, it will help to show how native and naturalised plants are responding to our changing climate.  You can also use it as a midwinter rehearsal for the coming summer’s Big Meadow Search!

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!